The AM2
The AM2, or Achievement Measurement 2 to give it its full name is currently the only Practical Performance Assessment (PPA) that can be used by apprentices to complete their apprenticeship. It is currently administered by the NET (National Electrotechnical Training) organisation.
It is an independent 3 day assessment that cannot be taken at a college or training providers, it must remain entirely impartial. It is often booked well in advance due to high demand although with the addition of new centres it is now easier to get on the course.
The actual AM2 is currently split into 4 sections:
- Section A involves a composite installation. It is a partially completed installation which you must finish. You need to know how to terminate SWA (armoured) cable, MIMS (Mineral Insulated Metal Sheathed or simply Pyro to many) and be comfortable with simple motor circuits, although you are given a wiring diagram. Once complete a visual and a functional test needs to be carried out.
- Section B involves an inspection and test of the installation
- Section C involves safe isolation procedures and a risk assessment
- Section D is fault diagnosis and rectification
Some colleges often offer revision sessions for the AM2, although it is part of the AM2, MIMS (or pyro as often referred to) can often only be used by specalist companies or on specialist installations and is easily forgotten after being covered in college. If you get the chance, practice it.
AM2 Hints and Tips
Below are some ideas to help you pass the AM2 practical exam.
- Practice reading from a circuit diagram before you start
- Be especially comfortable with motor circuits and follow the wiring diagram given to you beforehand
- The motor can be wired in 1.5mm2 cable with the control circuit (to the remote starter
- Set the overload on the contactor
- Be comfortable with lighting circuits in singles, make sure you know how to wire a landlords override switch and a two way and intermediate lighting circuit. Click the image below for a bigger version of the wiring diagram for a sample landlords override circuit
Landlords override circuit
- If the centre supply heat proof sheathing for the bulkhead light fitting, use it
- Take a padlock with you just in case and keep your tools locked
- Take a sharp knife such as an electricians knife sold by RS, Stanley knives or craft knives will not be permitted
- Fully understand the correct safe isolation procedure, make sure you keep the key in your pocket or locked away
- Know how to fault find, remember, continuity and insulation resistance tests are your friends
- Practice MIMS cable but leave it until the last task on the installation.
- Make sure you do not twist the MIMS conductors in the pot when you crimp the seal in place and make sure that the seal CANNOT be pulled out (this is a fail)
- Identify all the ends using the correct colours
- Practice doing back to back bends in steel conduit, you can use a coupler but you will start losing marks
- Make sure you can find your maximum Zs values, you may be asked to perform a Zs test and compare it to the On Site Guide or an equivalent table
- Bond the gas pipe in 10.0mm2 below the tee piece
- Bond the trunking and the tray in 4.0mm2cable
- Bond the back of any metallic backboxes
For more information about the AM2, visit the NET website at this address:
AM2 changes due in 2010
Plans are currently in progress to overhaul the AM2 and potentially bring it under a QCF unit. Changes mooted are the removal of the motor control circuit completely, taking out the MIMS (MICC) installation as it is thought to be a specialist cable and taking out the conduit forming as it is thought to be a level 2 skill.
In comes a S plan heating circuit, segregated trunking and data cabling.
Other changes include the trainee having to complete a full Electrical Installation Certificate, including a Schedule of Inspection and a Schedule of Test Results instead of the old method with a couple of random boxes of information.
The AM2 is planned to be split into 4 sections, A - Installation, B - Inspection and Test, C - Fault Diagnosis and a new section D - Knowledge Assessment. The last part is planned to be a 30 question multiple choice exam with a 90% pass mark. The exam will cover health and safety, working at heights, security systems, building regulations, protective devices, hand tool and single and three phase supplies.
More information
One of the biggest differences is that no paperwork will be sent in advance as has been the case beforehand. There is sure to be some information, currently believed to be a support pack for employers and providers, but students will get instructions when they arrive at the test centre. This time they will need to be prepared, all the details (for however long they can) will be kept secret.
The marking system is being changed, previously there were lenient critical points and safe isolation for example could see the student get several important safety points incorrect yet still pass. The new system will be a lot tighter, easier to interpret and more focused. The safe isolation for instance will now have to be performed 100% correctly to pass.
Before a student will be allowed to sit the AM2, a mandatory checklist sill be completed to ensure that the student is ready to take the test. The current system has seen students turn up who are not yet ready but have been pushed through by training providers, employers and colleges due to various issues including student funding.
The new test is to last between 2 and 2 and a half days (16.5 hours) and there will be as previously stated 4 distinct sections.
Section A
Fabrication has been removed entirely as it is thought to be a level 2 skill (Eds note: How does it get assessed then? According to the Summit Skills, industry does not recognise a level 2 so how can there be level 2 skills?). There are also increased expectations on the students ability to think about installation design. For example, the correct choice of protective device, the selection of RCD/RCBO for relevant circuits and the correct overload setting within the DOL starter which will be changed frequently so has to be calculated on an individual basis. Below are some of the expectations for the new qualification:
SWA termination
SY (Armourflex) termination
Twin and CPC (2 way lighting circuit)
Wiring in singles
FP200
Compartmental trunking
Tray
DOL starter and motor circuit (starter pre-wired)
External socket (to be RCD protected)
CO2 detector
Thermostat
S Plan heating system
Solar panel
Earthing systems
Section B and C
Inspection, test and fault finding. This time, the expectation is on the student to complete a full set of BS7671 paperwork, an EIC, Schedules of test results and inspections.
Section D
A 30 question multiple choice paper which will relate to the AM2, such as working safely, risk assessments and methodology.
Centre approval
All centres will automatically get approval to change over. There will be an increased quality assurance procedure carried out on these centres.